Here’s Why PAS Ditched Bersatu — And Why A Reunion Is Unlikely Anytime Soon, Says Analyst
Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub says PAS is pursuing a broader Malay political agenda and rebuilding ties with UMNO, while Bersatu remains reluctant to embrace former rivals.
- PAS is prioritising a broader Malay political platform ahead of GE16, even seeking to rebuild ties with Umno, diverging from Bersatu's goals.
- Analyst Tawfik warns trust between PAS and Bersatu has reached its lowest point, making swift reconciliation highly unlikely.
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The widening differences in political objectives between PAS and Bersatu explain why the two parties have drifted apart and why any reconciliation is unlikely in the immediate future, according to Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub.
Speaking on the increasingly strained relationship between the former Perikatan Nasional (PN) allies, Tawfik said PAS’ political priorities have evolved beyond its previous dependence on Bersatu.
Instead, the Islamist party is now focusing on building a larger Malay political platform ahead of the next state elections and the 16th General Election (GE16).
“PAS is now more inclined towards creating a platform that brings together Malay-based parties ahead of the state polls and GE16. The party is also attempting to rebuild cooperation with Umno,” he said.
However, Bersatu appears to hold a markedly different view.
“From Bersatu’s perspective, political rivals remain enemies and are difficult to turn into new allies. Umno, for instance, is still regarded as a political adversary,” Tawfik said.
Despite the current tensions, Tawfik cautioned against writing off the possibility of future cooperation altogether.
He noted that Malaysia’s political landscape has repeatedly demonstrated that there are no permanent friends or enemies.
PAS itself has experienced several dramatic shifts in alliances over the years.
The party once worked alongside UMNO before becoming one of its fiercest critics. It also forged an alliance with DAP under Pakatan Rakyat, only for that relationship to eventually collapse.
“As such, it is not impossible for PAS and Bersatu to work together again in the future if they find themselves facing a common enemy or if electoral realities necessitate the formation of a new coalition,” he said.
However, in the short term, Tawfik believes relations between the two parties have reached their lowest point since the formation of Perikatan Nasional.
“The trust that has been lost will not be easily restored in a short period of time,” he said.
He argued that PAS now appears increasingly confident in asserting itself as the dominant force within the opposition bloc.
He said that Bersatu is grappling with the challenge of preserving its political influence following a series of internal upheavals, which have spilled over into tensions with its coalition partners.
READ MORE: PAS Officially Dumps Bersatu After Months Of Bitter Relationship
READ MORE: From Alliances To Break-Ups: This Is The List Of PAS’s “Janda”
Meanwhile, Bersatu has decided to press ahead with preparations alongside its other component partners in Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat (IPR), saying it cannot afford to wait indefinitely PN to finalise its strategy for the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state election.
According to Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, the coalition’s top leadership has yet to convene a meeting to coordinate preparations for the state polls, despite more than two weeks having passed since the dissolution of the state assembly.
Faizal pointed out that PN, which is currently chaired by PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, has yet to call a meeting involving the coalition’s election machinery.
Nevertheless, Bersatu has already mobilised its grassroots and kicked off its campaign efforts, with secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali currently making his rounds across Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
“We are moving together with the other component parties. If PN is still undecided and unable to make a decision that prevents giving our opponents an advantage, then that is their approach. We cannot afford to wait for others,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.
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